Dear Paul,

Thank you for putting things into their proper
perspective - especially as far as children are
concerned - and where the money actually does go.

Ignorance is not bliss - and the more facts that
are publicly circulated on this subject - hopefully
the better informed people will be. We as Australians
have always helped those in need - be it as a result of
war, floods, disease, famine. I simply can't see us
hardening our hearts at this time, especially as far as
children are concerned. We need more people with the
heart of Fred Hollows, and many others, especially in
politics, to continue to show us the way.
Funny, nobody complains about increases to the military
budget - but vaccinating children ? Would we really
rather invest in things that kill people, rather than in
things that save them? I know where my answer lies and
if that makes me a Leftie or a bleeding heart in some
people's eyes, well I guess that's something I shall
wear as a badge of honour.

And how much did it cost, Paul1405 for what should have been one doctor & a couple of nurses, vaccinating a few kids?

Where did the other tens of millions go?

Some here have very short memories.

When floods devastated Queensland, it was a real effort for Julia Whatshername to make a brief appearance, where she gave a speech on self-reliance.

Then she was off again promoting herself as Rudd did by disbursing millions of foreign aid money everywhere and to buy a seat on UN's Security Council.

What upset Queenslanders though is that without being asked, Julia Wahtshername made the grand gesture of many millions of taxpayers' money in aid for floods in Afghanistan, whereas Queenslanders copped the "Chins up" and "Queenslanders can help themselves" from Julia, the queen of international travel.

Things must look different from the lounge of that plush guvvy jet.

However on the ground and while Julia Wahtshername can afford to buy a $2million bungalow from her golden handshake, many Queenslanders are still couch surfing with friends, free camping in Toyota minivans and living in someone else's garage because they lost everything they had. Julia didn't even have a strong word with the insurers who refused to pay out on flood insurance but still jacked up premiums later 'just because'.

Of course foreign aid money needs to be reviewed.

its up to the individual to decide how much they want to give to overseas aid or anything else rather than the Government pretending to be stingy/generous. Oxfam like many other agencies that depend on taxpayers money is more a political animal than anything else. You would think that by the many failures of the left that they would be to shamed in calling others 'heartless'. Does not appear so.

In 2003 Tor Hundloe was the first Australian
recognised by the award of an Order of Australia
for his development and practice of an economics
in line with ecological reality and ethical
imperatives.

He talks about the golden rule and tells us that:

"...The rule is, for all intents and purposes, the
same in all cultures. It simply asks that we put
ourselves in a position of the poorest of the poor,
the weakest of the weak, the sickest of the sick and do
unto others as we would want done unto us."

Where have we heard that before?

What Australia may fail to realise Pacific aid benifits us as well. I was told during my recent visit that if Australia cuts aid then China is ready willing and able to step in and fill the vacuum. In Fiji Chinese aid is being spent funding road works, which are badly needed particularly in the interior where the roads are strictly 4WD only.

Hasbeen you asked "Where did the other tens of millions go?" The Fijians love nothing better than spending Australian aid dollars on fancy holidays in Australia, staying at 5 star hotels, lapping up the sun while being waitered on hand and foot by Australians earning $3/hr and saying "goooooood day mate." In fact Australia is one of the favorite destinations for Fijian wanting a pampered holiday.
The rest of the money they blow on wide screen TV's, new cars and Ipods.